5 Best Stan and Jan Berenstain Books For Children

What are the best Stan and Jan Berenstain books of all time? Discover the best books to add to your child’s reading library.

Growing up, a lot of people read the Berenstain Bears. For many people, Berenstein Bears books are synonymous with their childhood and taught countless children how to read. The best-selling books from Random House are also filled with many important life lessons that many of us carry today.

Stan and Jan Berenstain have cemented themselves as some of the best children’s books authors of all time, right next to Dr. Seuss. Therefore, regardless of whether you are looking to reminisce or if you are looking for a solid children’s book to read to your kids, check out a few titles that you might want to add to your bookshelf. 

1. The Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV, 1984

Perhaps no book is more relevant to children today than The Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV. People today, particularly children, seem addicted to their screens. This might include TV shows, movies, video games, and cell phones. So even though this book came out in 1984, it is still relevant today. In this book, the entire family cannot pull their eyes away from the TV to enjoy everything around them. Eventually, Mama Bear ends up staging an intervention to remind everyone that there is a world beyond the TV screen.

Parents that are having a difficult time controlling their kids’ screen time may want to take a look at this book. By encouraging children to look at the world through the eyes of The Berenstain Bears, they can be reminded that there is a large world beyond the TV screen. 

“She wasn’t quite sure how it happened. Maybe it began when the old fuzzy picture black and white set broke down and they got a big new color set.”

The Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV, Stan and Jan Berenstain

2. The Berenstain Bears and the In-Crowd, 1989

Growing up, just about every child wants to be a part of the “in” crowd but is it sacrificing your personality? This is what The Berenstain Bears and the In-Crowd tackles. There is a new bear school in the book, and she quickly becomes the coolest person in the room. Therefore, it should be no surprise that Sister Bear wants to be like her; however, she quickly realizes that this might not be the best way to make a new friend.

This book is an excellent way for parents to start talking to their kids about popularity and peer pressure. Of course, everyone wants to make friends, but sometimes, the price might not be worth it. Parents who have difficulty explaining this to their children may want to use this book for help. If you like reading children’s books, you might also enjoy our list of the best books by Roald Dahl.

“One’s sense of self-worth is often undone the first time one feels left out of the fun”

The Berenstain Bears and the In-Crowd, Stan and Jan Berenstain

3. The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Teasing, 1995

The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Teasing is a story everyone can relate to. When there are multiple kids in the house, teasing is only natural; however, there will come a time when teething gets out of hand. Sometimes, it can become incredibly hurtful, and Brother Bear is having way too much fun at the expense of his sister. Eventually, he becomes the target and feels the same pain. Finally, he gets a first-hand look at the impact he was having on his sister, and he learns his lesson. 

“But, there were some things that they just couldn’t agree on.”

The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Teasing, Stan and Jan Berenstain

4. The Berenstain Bears’ New Baby, 1974

Parents will face many challenges with their children growing up, but one of the biggest challenges is the introduction of a new sibling. That is something that The Berenstain Bears’ New Baby will tackle. When people think about the Berenstain Bears, they usually think about the mother, the father, the son, and the sister. However, many people have forgotten that “Sister Bear” did not become a part of the family until 1974. In this book, Brother Bear raises various concerns about what will happen once a new baby is in the house.

For example, even though parents might be excited to have a new baby along the way, children, particularly young children, are always nervous about introducing a new sibling. So even though parents should not assume that everything is going to go smoothly right away, this book can help parents see what the introduction of a sibling might be like for a child who is already there, particularly an only child. 

“There was his snug little bed with a new baby in it. Small Bear had outgrown his snug little bed just in time for his new baby sister. And now he was a big brother!”

The Berenstain Bears’ New Baby, Stan and Jan Berenstain

5. The Berenstain Bears and the Green-Eyed Monster, 1994

Are you sick and tired of your children complaining because of something someone else has? Even something as simple as a child complaining about another child eating a candy bar in the grocery store is enough to drive you crazy. If you want to teach your kids a lesson, you might want to consider reading The Berenstain Bears and the Green-Eyed Monster. Envy is only natural. People, even children, compare themselves to others.

In this story, Brother Bear gets a new bike. Then, Sister Bear becomes very upset. She is jealous; it negatively impacts the entire family, and the parents have difficulty helping their children get along. But, eventually, all is right with the world, and everyone learns a valuable lesson. If you want to teach your child this important lesson, The Berenstain Bears and the Green-Eyed Monster could be the right book. You might be interested in exploring metaphor examples for kids. Check out our guide.

“When another bear gets something brand-new, the green-eyed monster makes you want one, too.”

The Berenstain Bears and the Green-Eyed Monster, Stan and Jan Berenstain

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Looking for more? Check out our round-up of the best Dr. Seuss books!